New Scanner Means that Forklifts Never Have to Stop

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The DynaDim PF1000 In-Motion Pallet Dimensioner from Northrop Grumman recently received the Certificate of Conformance for Multiple Dimension Measuring Device (MDMD) from the National Type Evaluation Program (NTEP). What does that mean? Basically, that it is a legitimate measuring device, but it is the first of its kind to be certified.

NTEP is a program managed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) that evaluates new prototype weighing devices. For a device to be "legal-for-trade," it has to meet the program's criteria. Whenever a commercial product is sold by weight, the equipment must be verified as ‘legal for trade’ or 'trade approved,' it helps make sure that proper tolls, tariffs, and taxes are paid.

The DynaDim Dimensioner was developed by Northrop Grumman-subsidiary Adaptive Optics Associates (AOX), and it's a particularly powerful tool because it measures pallets without disrupting normal operations. While the pallet is on the forklift, the driver passes through the sensor zone. The sensor is triggered by a QR code on the top of the truck, and it snaps a couple of photos, and measures the pallet within 1/2-inch accuracy, as long as you keep it below eight miles an hour.

According to Northrop Grumman, it's also the first in-motion travel lane dimensional scanner in the logistics warehousing and shipping industry to be NTEP certified.

The system can measure multiple forklifts at a time, and it can help reduce costs and allow less-than-truckload (LTL) facilities to audit almost all freight.